Introduction
It’s been a little over a year since I published my first novel. I never thought this would be my career choice, but nothing has ever felt more right. I had plans of getting my veterinarian’s license and starting a pit bull rescue, then plans of being a forensic scientist, then a detective for the local sheriff’s department. After realizing college wasn’t part of my path and taking part in the local sheriff’s cadet program resulted in more stress and danger than I, as a volunteer, was willing to endure, I figured I could try my hand at publishing the novel I had been working on since I was fourteen.
Eaten was published on Halloween of 2019, and the sequel, Void, was published soon after in April of 2020. After many rejections from agents, I finally decided to go the self-publishing route, starting this journey I’ve been on. I’ve met so many amazing people and learned so much. I know I have so many more people to meet and so much more to learn, and I’m glad you’re with me for the ride.
After starting a science fiction series, more information to come soon, I realized that it would take a long time to publish the entire series, especially as I’d like to find an agent for it. I racked my brain for what to do about it, as I like keeping my readers happy, and found the solution on my website.
I post so many short stories there that I could fill a book! And I did. In celebration of my 20th birthday, I decided to publish CRADLES THE BRAIN. I wanted people who don’t enjoy reading on a screen to have the option of reading these short stories on paper, along with a few stories exclusive
The name came randomly, just a passing thought that I wrote on my desk. It later became the title for this, my first anthology. I loved creating the cover for this piece, particularly because I’m on it (haughty laugh). I feel that the title works well, considering this is a mix of personal pieces, poems, and short fiction.
Please expect the unexpected here. Many of the short fiction pieces were written late at night when demons are at their loudest. Each work holds a piece of me, and if you’d like to know me better, read between the lines.
Thank you and happy reading.
Love,
Alyanna Poe
